LENIENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lenient mean? 

• LENIENT (adjective)
  The adjective LENIENT has 3 senses:

1. tolerant or lenient

2. not strict

3. characterized by tolerance and mercy

  Familiarity information: LENIENT used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LENIENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tolerant or lenient

Synonyms:

indulgent; lenient; soft

Context example:

they are soft on crime

Similar:

permissive (granting or inclined or able to grant permission; not strict in discipline)

Derivation:

lenience (lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers)

lenience (mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant)

leniency (a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not strict

Context example:

an easy penalty

Similar:

undemanding (requiring little if any patience or effort or skill)

Derivation:

lenience (a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone)

leniency (lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by tolerance and mercy

Similar:

clement ((used of persons or behavior) inclined to show mercy)

Derivation:

leniency (mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant)

 Context examples 

But in other points, as well as this, I was growing very lenient to my master: I was forgetting all his faults, for which I had once kept a sharp look-out.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Now, said Holmes, when the rejoicing lackey had disappeared, having secured the future, we can afford to be more lenient with the past.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Yes, there are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful.”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Her mind made up on these several points, and her resolution formed, of always judging and acting in future with the greatest good sense, she had nothing to do but to forgive herself and be happier than ever; and the lenient hand of time did much for her by insensible gradations in the course of another day.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)